,
Planes,
trains and automobiles are all forms of transport that get you from point A to
Z, oftentimes involving turbulent skies, subterranean tunnels and screeching
brakes, so I was eagerly looking forward to crossing the Channel - no, not by
swimming - but by ferry. My transit choices for journeying from Britain
to France were limited - either crossing in a claustrophobic metal tube jetting
through the blue skies, snaking underground in yet another form of enclosed tin
can entrapment or choosing instead to feel
the wind on my cheeks, splish splashing along on a rubber dinghy.
Carrying my
extra large circular life-preserver, inflatable boat and water wings, I was
quite the sight indeed, as I made my way towards the ferry docks, eager to jump
on board and sail away to the next leg of my journey. Hey, I’m kidding now, as it wasn’t quite like
that, but you get my drift, if you know what I mean?
The Kid and I
were scheduled to take the ferry from Dover to Calais, roughly a 90 minute journey
on P & O Ferries. Sailing from the
Eastern Docks in the white-cliffed town of Dover, the ferry accommodates both
vehicles and foot passengers. The price
was reasonable enough, costing £59 for the two of us, with an extra £24 to
upgrade to Club Lounge. The ferry terminal was located 1.5 miles from the
railway station and is accessible via the shuttle bus service at an economical
£2 per person. Weighed down with enough
baggage to outfit a small army and then some, we hopped on, grateful for the
short 5 minute ride, thus spared the burden of schlepping over-stuffed luggage
on a cumbersome trudge to the terminal.
A liberating
release from the forced confinement of claustrophobic planes and trains, the
ferry ride exceeded all expectations and was “the highlight of her trip” as Le Kid enthusiastically
blabbered. My impromptu decision to upgrade
to luxurious Club Lounge was a brilliant move on my part, if I must say so
myself – one that was perhaps somewhat inspired by the one too many Cabernet
Sauvignons I had been intoxicatingly indulging in the previous evening whilst
searching the P & O Ferry website, having foolishly waited until the very
last minute to book our passage. Who
says that “don’t shop and Merlot” is
not the wisest of ideas?
A
complimentary glass of champagne was included in the cost of our first-class
journey and as luck would have it, the Kid was not yet old enough to imbibe,
forcing (seriously?) me to down (oops…meant to say elegantly sip) two flutes of
bubbly, hers and mine. Hic.
Ordering
several more of the bubbling concoctions, staring at the mesmerizing views of
the chalk white cliffs, and perched high above the water in what felt like my
very own spacious quarters, I wondered whether this was how royalty traversed
the seas. Letting our imaginations soar
and sail away on our magical ferry ride to Calais, the short one hour and a
half sojourn came to an end far too soon, as both the Kid and I would have been
content to spend the remainder of our lives aboard said ferry.
Come enjoy
some bubbly and cliff-hanging National Geographic moments as you float along
the deep blue seas….come sail away to adventures beyond…
Next week….where
do my pink-sneakered footprints take us?
Stay tuned!!
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